Priority On Performance
Working in conjunction with BMC Racing Team Directeur Sportif John
Lelangue, Ochowicz said Peiper will build on the success of 2012 that
saw Philippe Gilbert win the world road title, Taylor Phinney earn the
silver medal in the world time trial and the team capture stages at two
of the three grand tours while placing Tejay van Garderen (fifth) and
Cadel Evans (seventh) in the top 10 at the Tour de France. “This is an
important new role that we have identified and one that will be crucial
to our success going forward,” Ochowicz said. “We’re putting a priority
on performance and Allan is the right person to lead us in that
direction. We also know that he will bring team spirit to the BMC Racing
Team that he had during his own racing days and those as a sports
director.

Big Challenge
Peiper said his primary goal will be to coordinate all the vital factors
that go into a 10-month season comprised of more than 275 individual
races. “Teams have gotten so big in the last few years – with nearly 30
riders, a lot of staff, and many races on many continents,” he said.
“Getting things like wind tunnel testing, training camps, data analysis
and feedback to riders and coaches to make sure everyone is on the same
page is a big job. I think that will be the big challenge for me in the
first year.” Peiper, a professional for 10 seasons before beginning his
directing career, has previously worked with Evans, Marco Pinotti and
van Garderen. “So I’m familiar with a few of the guys,” he said. “I feel
I can really enhance the work of the entire team, which will give the
riders a more coordinated service.”

Important Role
Lelangue said Peiper’s own racing experience makes him well-suited for
the job. “It’s really good to have someone with his experience,”
Lelangue said. “He and his performance group will be the link between
the sports directors, the riders and the latest innovations. That way,
the directors can concentrate solely on the riders, the selection of
riders for races, and race strategy. Basically, he’ll be involved in all
the things that make the difference between being second or third or
being first.”